When a parent finally decides to book therapy for their child, or an adult decides to ask for professional help themselves, the next question is almost always the same: "Will my insurance cover it?" In the UAE, the answer is generally that insurance covers some of the cost, but it is never clear exactly how much.
Most insurance plans in the UAE do include mental health coverage such as psychiatry, psychology, or counseling. However, it can vary substantially and generally depends on the following:
- What kind of plan do you have (basic or comprehensive coverage)
- Whether or not you are visiting an in-network clinic/specialist
- What services do you need? (psychiatry, talk therapy, speech and language therapy, etc.)
It is always best to double-check benefits before your first session, instead of assuming based on what plan you're on.
Is health insurance mandatory, and does it include mental health?
For residents, health insurance is mandatory - it is generally the responsibility of the employer to cover it. In Dubai, the Essential Benefits Plan covers the minimum requirements, but only comes into effect for lower-level employees (basic plans generally do not offer much in the way of mental health benefits), while more comprehensive employee or private plans offer more.
Does insurance cover therapy for children/teenagers?
Insurance may cover treatment for children, but it is important to check. Child or adolescent services may also be categorized under separate categories such as child psychiatry, child psychology/counseling, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy. Some types of treatment, such as Applied Behavior Analysis for autism, may also be considered developmental services and not covered by some plans - comprehensive plans will often list these under "psychological" services.
What is direct billing, and will I still have to pay anything?
Direct billing means that the bill is sent directly to your insurance company, and you will only be liable for any co-payments, deductible, or annual limits that may apply to your plan. There may also be services that aren't covered by your insurance, if they fall under excluded services.
Do I need referrals or pre-authorization?
This depends on your specific plan. There are two types of plans, those which ask for referral or pre-authorization, and those that don't. You can find this information when contacting the insurance company. At Camali, our insurance team will check this on your behalf as part of the eligibility verification process.
What questions should I ask my insurance company or HR team?
- Does my plan include outpatient benefits?
- Are psychiatry and counseling services included separately?
- Is there an annual limit or a cap on the number of visits?
- What is my co-payment and/or deductible?
- Does the plan require a referral?
- Are assessments and child/teen counseling services covered?
- Is there a waiting period for pre-existing conditions?
- Does the clinic need to be in-network?
What insurance companies does Camali Clinic accept?
Camali Clinic can bill directly to Al Madallah, Bupa, Cigna, and other private insurers, as well as select public sector plans offered in Dubai. If your plan is not on this list, please contact us to discuss your options.
How does booking an appointment with insurance work?
1. You request an appointment: You choose what service you need, where you'd like it, and we'll request to check your insurance eligibility
2. We will check your benefits: We will look at what benefits are covered under your plan, whether the clinic is direct-billing, and whether any co-payment, deductible, or annual limits apply. We'll also check if a referral is needed.
3. We get in touch with you: We'll go over the benefits and any additional information we found, and answer any questions you may have, before booking your first appointment.
4. Your appointment is confirmed: Once your eligibility has been verified, we'll finalize your first appointment and send you a confirmation.
The form you filled out is only a request for an appointment. Please note that you will only be able to book an appointment after submitting the form and verifying your eligibility with us. By filling out the form, you are requesting an appointment. Once you receive a response about your eligibility, you can schedule your first appointment.
Book an appointment: camaliclinic.com
Insurance and direct billing: camaliclinic.com/insurance
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